Army considers canceling appointment of colonel who asked for coup – 06/16/2023 – Politics

The commander of the Army, General Tomás Paiva, is considering annulling the appointment of Colonel Jean Lawand Junior to the Diplomatic Representation of Brazil in the United States, in Washington.

The decision would be a reaction after the Federal Police identified a series of messages in which the military suggested to Jair Bolsonaro’s (PL) former assistant, Mauro Cid, that he help the then president to “give an order” for the Forces to act. Armed against the election of Lula (PT).

Generals consulted by Sheet stated that Lawand will respond judicially to the messages he sent to Cid and that any administrative decisions will be taken by Tomás Paiva after a conversation he will have with the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, this Friday (16).

The conversations between Lawand and Cid were revealed by Veja magazine. In the messages, the colonel asked the aide-de-camp for Bolsonaro to strike a blow against Lula’s election. “Convince 01 to save this country!”, He wrote in one of the conversations.

The Army does not usually open administrative proceedings in these cases, as it considers that the case must first be analyzed by the courts.

A similar decision was taken when Cid was investigated by the PF for financial transactions in the Presidency. The Force did not open an internal process against the lieutenant colonel, but decided, in agreement with the military, not to let him take command of the 1st Battalion of Command Actions, in Goiânia (GO).

The disclosure of conversations involving an active-duty military member was assessed within the Ministry of Defense as a delicate situation.

After being informed of the case, Minister José Múcio scheduled a conversation with the Army commander for this Friday to discuss Lawand’s condition and assess measures in relation to the colonel.

“Cidão, for the love of God, man. He gives the order that the people are with him, man. If the guys don’t comply, it’s their problem. The Brazilian Army ends if these guys don’t comply with the order of, of the Supreme Commander . How am I going to accept an order from a General, who did not receive it, who did not accept the Commander’s order. For God’s sake, Cidão. For God’s sake, do something, man. Convince him to do it”, he said Lawand in an audio, according to the Federal Police transcript.

To Veja Lawand claimed to be a friend of Cid, with whom he chatted pleasantly. He also said he does not remember any coup-like dialogue with Bolsonaro’s former assistant.

Colonel Jean Lawand Junior is currently supervisor of the Strategic Astros Program at the Army Projects Office, the General Staff of the Force.

Lawand graduated from Aman (Military Academy of Agulhas Negras) in 1996, with the best grade among the cadets of the Bicentennial class of Inconfidência Mineira. During the four years of formation, he was at the side of the current governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio Freitas.

During his career, the colonel worked in areas related to missiles and rockets, a curriculum that qualified him to take over the supervision of the Astros Program, considered one of the main strategic projects of the government.

According to generals interviewed by the SheetLawand was one of those tipped to be promoted to brigadier general in 2025, for having already assumed command positions and for his positions in the military training classes.

The promotion period would be close to Lawand’s return from the US. In February, Tomás Paiva signed an ordinance designating Lawand for the mission abroad as of January 2, 2024.

The annulment of the movement would be a way to guarantee that the military is in Brazil while the investigations are ongoing.

In one of the conversations, Colonel Lawand forwards a message from a friend who claims to have met with General Edson Skora Rosty.

Deputy commander of Army Land Operations at the time of the messages, Rosty would have assured the interlocutor that the Land Force would comply with any intervention order if received. Still according to this report, the general would have considered that the Army would do nothing without an order from Bolsonaro because the movement would be seen as a coup.

The three-star general was retired from the Army in April of this year, after the High Command of the Force decided to promote a more modern soldier than Rosty to the position of General of the Army (four stars).

He was the one who sheltered Cid in the Land Operations Command after the Army decided that he would not assume command of the Goiânia battalion.

In Rosty’s case, the internal decision is not to open any proceedings against the general, as he is in reserve and the case is considered a rumour. To Veja, the military said he did not remember the conversation cited by Lawand.